clepsydra
Americannoun
-
clepsydras,
plural
-
clepsydrae
plural
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of clepsydra
1640–50; < Latin < Greek klepsýdra, equivalent to kleps- ( klep-, stem of kléptein to steal, conceal + -s- formative in derivation) + hydra, derivative of hýdōr water
Explanation
Drip, drip, drip. This used to be the sound of a clepsydra — a special water clock used by ancient civilizations. The clepsydra was an early and innovative way to keep track of time. It combines the Greek roots klept-, meaning "steal," and hydr-, meaning "water." The clepsydra worked by measuring time through the steady flow of water from one container to another — as if one container was gradually stealing water from the other. The clepsydra was used by the Greeks, Egyptians, and other ancient civilizations to time speeches, monitor cooking, and even keep time during court sessions.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Empedocles performed his experiment with a household implement people had used for centuries, the so-called clepsydra or “water thief,” which was used as a kitchen ladle.
From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan
On this explanation, the purpose of the wheel would be merely to provide the manual adjustment necessary to set the angel from time to time, compensating for irremediable inaccuracies of the clepsydra.
From On the Origin of Clockwork, Perpetual Motion Devices, and the Compass by Price, Derek J. de Solla (Derek John de Solla)
Checking the hours by the clepsydra, he entered the name of every human being passing, up or down that stair, even the name of the manager every time he came in or went out.
From Andivius Hedulio Adventures of a Roman Nobleman in the Days of the Empire by White, Edward Lucas
He glanced as he spoke toward the dial of the clepsydra, and Giulia followed his look in the same direction; it was half an hour after midnight.
From Wagner, the Wehr-Wolf by Reynolds, George W. M. (George William MacArthur)
Both are bored to death, like the patient Pliny, by the readings of wealthy scribblers, or by tiresome pleadings in the courts, measured by many a turn of the clepsydra.
From Roman Society from Nero to Marcus Aurelius by Dill, Samuel
Smaller clepsydrae of glass were very early used in place of the sun-dial, to mark the hours.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 4 "Cincinnatus" to "Cleruchy" by Various
Well," he said, "clepsydras always work better when nearly full than when nearly empty.
From Andivius Hedulio Adventures of a Roman Nobleman in the Days of the Empire by White, Edward Lucas
It seems probable that some of these water clocks could have been simple drip clepsydras, with perhaps a striking arrangement added.
From On the Origin of Clockwork, Perpetual Motion Devices, and the Compass by Price, Derek J. de Solla (Derek John de Solla)
Before there were hour-glasses and clepsydras, most phenomena could be estimated as to their durations and intervals, with no greater precision than degrees of hardness can be estimated by the fingers.
From Essays on Education and Kindred Subjects Everyman's Library by Spencer, Herbert
The Arabian astronomers also devoted themselves to the construction and perfection of astronomical instruments, to the measurement of time by clocks of various kinds, by clepsydras and sun-dials.
From History of the Conflict Between Religion and Science by Draper, John William
"As near accuracy," I said, "as any clepsydras ever made."
From Andivius Hedulio Adventures of a Roman Nobleman in the Days of the Empire by White, Edward Lucas
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
